By 2050, self-organizing fleets of passenger jets catapulted into the sky on take-off and gliding into land at airports using robots powered by renewable energy will have transformed the aviation industry into a cleaner, more efficient, passenger-friendly business without sacrificing safety.

The aircraft maker is already working on the technology, new aircraft design and the development and use of alternative fuels to fulfill this dream. Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., says the industry will have to come up with new ideas like these.

But even Airbus officials recognize much of it is far-fetched, like slinging jets into the sky to save on fuel during take-off. Still, Airbus and its airport and airline partners and customers have a nearer term goal.

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